Pallet charging and tiering machine



April 12, 1949. GEL BMAN PALLET CHARGING AND TIERING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 24, 1945 INVENTOR. Lou/s 65mm wrofi/vsy,

April 12, 1949. 1.. GELBMAN PALLET CHARGING AND TIERING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Filed Nov. 24. 1945 11v; ENTOR FL B/MN 4 W0 IVA/EX April- 12, 1949.

Filed Nov. 24, 1945 L. GELBMAN PALLET CHARGING AND TIERING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. By Laws Game/v April 12, 1949. L. GELBMAN PALLET CHARGING AND TIERING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 24, 1945 m m r L. a WIAVffIllfI/lu M R M5 Z 16 5 U 0 L April 12,

Filed Nov.

L. GELBMAN PALLET CHARGING AND TIERING MACHINE ML. STOP I 150 H0/.p//y 501 "m? l Kan l Fig. [5

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

FITTORIVEX.

Patented Apr. 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PALLET CHARGING AND TIERING MACHINE Louis Gelbman, Yonkers, N. Y.

Application November 24, 1945, Serial No. 630,641

14 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a pallet charging and tiering machine, and has particular reference to a machine of this type for supplying and removing pallets to and from a brick or block making machine.

The pallet charging and tierlng machine is intended to receive pallets in tiers of ten, or more, or less, and to supply these pallets individually to a block or brick machine and then to place the pallets with the blocks or bricks made by the brick machine, into tiers of the same number as supplied. It is proposed that each of the pallets be substantially of channel shape so as to have a top wall and side support arms. They are tiered by resting them on their support arms, one above the other. The bricks or blocks are disposed on the top walls of the pallets and when the pallets are in the tiered positions, the bricks or blocks will be contained in the spaces between said top walls.

The new pallet charging and tierlng machine shall include a pallet receiving member which is vertically movably mounted on the frame of the machine and which is adapted to be periodically vertically reciprocated by the brick or block machine during its operation. A pallet lifting fork and a pallet lowering fork shall be associated with the frame of the machine and with the pallet receivin member, in such a fashion that the pallet lifting fork periodically rises a distance equal to the height of one pallet, and the pallet lowering fork descends the same amount, so that it is possible to feed the tier of pallets to the pallet receiving member, and to receive the pallets upon the lowering fork in a way that they become restacked into the tier condition.

The invention contemplates a charging carriage for moving the top pallet from the tier of pallets on the lifting fork to a position on the pallet receiving member and for moving a pallet from said pallet receiving member to a position on said lowering fork or upon pallets already stacked on the lowering. fork. The carriage shall be associated with means by which it is moved to a charging position when the pallet receiving member reaches the pallet receiving position and then back to its starting position.

The pal-let liftin fork shall be associated with means for raising it in steps, and the pallet lowering fork shall be asociated with means for lowering it in steps, of distances equal to one pallet height, each time said charging carriage performs one cycle of its movements.

A pallet delivery conveyor shall be provided for carrying away a tier of pallets from the pal- 2 let lowering fork. Means shall be associated with said delivery conveyor for operating it each time said lowering fork supplies it with a tier of pallets for moving them from said lowerin fork.

There shall also be a pallet supply conveyor for supplying a tier of pallets to the lifting fork. This supply conveyor shall be associated with means for operating it each time said lifting fork reaches its lowered position for supplying it with a new tier of pallets.

It is proposed to provide means for returning said lowering fork to a raised position and returning said lifting fork to a lowered position each time that a tier of pallets is removed from the lowering fork.

Still further the invention proposes the construction of a pallet chargin and tiering machine embodying the features briefly explained which is simple in construction, simple and reliable in operation and which may be manufactured and sold at a relatively low cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, with certain parts removed for clarity of illustration, of a pallet charging and tiering machine constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrated with tiers of pallets as they would appear during one moment of operation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of Fig. 1 but illustrated with all parts in place.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary enlarged detailed view of another portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal enlarged sectional view through the large roller illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view looking in the direction on the line of Fig. 2, a portion thereof being broken away to better disclose certain parts in the back.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional. view taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 2, with certain parts broken away to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view of a portion of Fig. 12 but illustrated with certain of the parts in different positions.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view looking in the direction of the line |4|4 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view of a portion of Fig. 12 but illustrated with certain of the parts in different positions.

Fig. 16 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

The pallet charging and tiering machine, in accordance with this invention, includes a structural frame In. This frame I6 includes six vertical I-beams l2, l3, l4, l and I6. A pallet receiving member I8 is vertically movably mounted on a portion of the frame l0 and is adapted to be periodically vertically reciprocated by a block or brick machine not illustrated on the drawings, nor described in the specification.

However, a block or brick machine of this type is shown in my patent application for a Brick or block machine, Serial No. 603,462, filed on July 6, 1945, Patent No. 2,431,034. The pallet receiving member I8 is supported upon four vertical posts 20, 2|, 22 and 23 which are vertically slidably guided by standards 24 mounted upon certain of the beams of the frame l0, see Fig. 11. The pallet receiving member I8 is illustrated supporting a pallet 26. The dot and dash lines 2'! above the pallet 26, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9 represents a mold of a brick or block machine against the bottom of which the pallet 26 will be engaged when the pallet receiving member 8 assumes its raised position. The pallet receiving member I8 is illustrated on the drawings in its lowered position.

A pallet supply conveyor 30 is adapted to supply a tier of pallets 26 to one side of the pallet receiving member l8. The conveyor 30 includes a pair of longitudinal beams 3| upon the sides of which there are rollers 32 upon which the bottommost pallet 26 of the tier of pallets 26 rest. The conveyor 30 also includes an endless member 33, such as sprocket chains, which are guided over wheels 34. and which is driven by an electric motor 35. The endless member 33 at spaced points is provided with abutment strips 36 which are adapted to engage against the bottommost pallet 26 of the tier of pallets 26 for moving the tier of pallets 26 forwards.

A pallet delivery conveyor 40 is located on the other side of the pallet receiving member l8 and is adapted to carry away said tiers of pallets 26. This delivery conveyor 40 is substantially identical to said supply conveyor 30. It includes longitudinal beams 4| upon the sides of which there are rollers 42 upon which the tiers of pallet 26 are adapted to rest. There is an endless member 43, such as sprocket chains, which engages around wheels 44 and which is driven by an electric motor 45. The endless member 43, at spaced points, is provided with abutment strips 46 which are adapted to engage the bottommost pallet 26 of the tiers of pallets 26 for moving them forwards.

The pallet lifting fork 58 is associated with the pallet supply conveyor 30 for receiving a tier of pallets 26 from said supply conveyor 30 and for supplying these pallets 26 to the pallet receiving member [8. The delivery conveyor 40 is associated with a pallet lowering fork 5| for receiving th pallets 26 from the pallet receiving member l8, in tier formation, and for supplying the tier of pallets 26 to the delivery conveyor 40. The forks 58 and 5| are of identical construction except they extend in different directions. Each of these forks includes a pair of spaced side arms 52 which are adapted to engage beneath the bottommost pallet 26 in between the side arms of said pallet. The side arms 52 of said forks are connected together at their inner ends by a transverse member 53. Blocks 54 are mounted upon the side arms 52, and said blocks 54 are provided with vertically spaced pairs of rollers 55 which engage in between the flanges of the vertical I-beams H, 2, l3 and I4. These rollers 55 serve 'to vertically guide the forks 50 and 5|.

Movable endless members 58, such as chains, are connected with the forks 56 and 5|, so that said forks will move in opposite directions when the endless members 58 are moved. More particularly each endless member 58 is guided over four wheels 59, 60, 6| and 62 on shafts 63 mounted on the frame l0. These wheels are so arranged that the endless members 58 have vertical opposite side portions. The forks 56 and 5| are connected with these opposite side portions and for this reason said forks will move in opposite directions. When the fork 5D is moved up the fork 5| will move downwards, and vice versa.

A charging carriage 65 is associated with the frame l0 and is for the purpose of moving the top pallet 26 from the tier of pallets 26 on the lifting fork 50 to a position on the member If! and for moving the pallet 26 which is on the member IE to a position on the lowering fork 5| or upon pallets 26 already supported on said lowering fork 5|. The charging carriage 65 includes a number of longitudinal bars 68, 69, 10 and H. The bars 68 and 69 are connected toether at their front and back ends with connecting rods 12, see Fig. 6. Rollers 13 are mounted on each of said connecting rods 12. Similarly the front and back ends of the bars 10 and 7| are connected together with similar connecting rods which are also provided with rollers 73.

The rear ends of the bars 69 and '18 are connected together by a reinforcement bridge 75. The rollers 13 ride upon tracks 16 which are mounted upon beams of the frame Ill. The charging carriage 65 is capable of moving horizontally from the position at the right as illustrated in Fig. 2 to the left, and then back again to the right. During this motion the charging carriage will move the uppermost pallet 26 from the tier of pallets 26 onto the pallet receiving member l8, and will move the pallet 26 which is now supported on said member l8 onto the lowering fork 5|. In order to accomplish this operation, the charging carriage 65 is provided with a pair of front depressible bolts 86. Said bolts are slidably mounted in the front connecting rods 12. They are urged outwards by springs 8|. The bolts 80 have bevel back sides 82 and straight front sides 83. The straight sides 83 engage the back end of the pallet 26 which is on the pallet receiving member I8 so that when the charging carriage 65 moves forwards it will move said pallet 26 correspondingly, and move it onto the lowering fork 5|.

The charging carriage 65 is provided with a pair of upwardly directed lugs 85 between which there is mounted a bar 86. A pair of pawls 8'! are mounted on the bar 86 and are held from ZJQTJOS swingingv backwards by pins 8% mounted on and projecting from the lugs 815;. The pawl-s 81 normally engage the. back of the. uppermost pallet of the tier of pallets 26 on the lifting fork for moving said top pallet'26 forwards and onto the pallet receiving member I8. When the carriage moves from its charging position back to its starting position, the bolts will be forced inwards because of the bevels 82 and will idle past the new pallet 26 which was justdeposited upon the pallet receiving member Ill.

The charging carriage 65; is, associated with means for moving it to a charging position when said pallet receiving member I 8. reaches a pallet receiving position, its down position. and. then back to its starting position. This: means is characterized by a pair of air cylinders with pistons, which are fixedly mounted on the frame l0 and which have extending piston rods 8i which are connected with, lugs 92 on the charging carriage E5. The lugs '92 are directed downwards from the side. bars 68 and, II, of the'charging carriage 65. In Figs. 1 and 2: the piston rods at are illustrated in their. extended positions, and

consequently the charging carriage 65 is in its starting position. In this latter position, the pawls 81 are engaging against the back edge. of the uppermost pallet 26 on the tier of pallets 2-6 on the lifting forkfiil. The piston rods 9| are retracted by air pressure controlled by an air valve 94- This air valve 94 is supported on a bracket which is mounted upon the. bottom of one of the cylinders 90.

The air valve 94 has av valve head. 08 which is normally urged upwards by an expansion spring 91. The valve. head 90 has a, projecting stern. 9,8 which is normally held in a depressed condition by a rod 99 which is mounted on and projects from the post 23 oi the pallet receiving member l8. In a depressed condition, the valve head 96 connects an air supply line I00 with air lines IOI which connect with the. back ends of the cylinders 00. With the parts. in this condition, compressed air will be supplied to the back ends of the cylinders 90 for forcing the pistons forwards and correspondingly moving the piston rods 9| for moving the charging carriage 6.5 to the. charging position. When the valve stem 98 is released, the. spring 91 will move the valve head 96 upwards so as to connect the air pipe lines IOI with a valve controlled discharge I03, or bleed to the atmosphere. The valve stem 98 has a top section I04 which is hingedly mounted by a hinge l05. A spring I06 is coaxially mounted on the hinge I05 and normally tends to urge the top section I04 into a vertical position aligned with the bottom section of the valve stem 08.

An arm I08 is mounted upon one of the piston rods 9| and is provided with a forwardly extending bottom end I09 which will engage against the top section I04 of the valve stem 98, when the charging carriage 65 reaches its charging position. In Fig. 15 the end I00 of the arm [00 is shown in the process of bending said section I04 of the valve stem 88, and the valve head 95 is shown in an intermediate position. The valve spring 9'! will continue to extend the valve head 96 until it reaches its top position in which the air pipe lines. I0!v will be connected with the air discharge I03. The back ends of the cylinders 90 are now opened to atmosphere and the pistons therein are ready to move back to their initial positions.

Another air valve 0 is mounted upon the vertical I-beam I I. This valve I I0 has a horizon- Ill tel valve head 95 provided with a horizontal stem U2. A'spring 91 normally urges the valve head 98 outwards. In this position, shown in Fig. 12, the. valve. head 95 connects pipelines II4 which are connected with the front ends of the cylinders; 90. with the air discharge I03. When the valve head 96 is depressed, the pipe lines II4 will be. connected with the compressed air supply line F00. The charging carriage. 65- is provided with a projecting finger I I6 which is aligned with the valve stem 2 and which depresses said valve stem when the charging carriage 65 reaches its charging position. Abolt II! is adapted to lock the valve stem H2 in its depressed position. This bolt II! is slidably mounted in a body [I8 which is mounted on the I-beam If. A spring H9 normally urges the bolt II'l downwards against. the top. face of the valve stem II2 when the valve stem H2 is in its extended position, and engages against the end of the valve stem II2 when it is in its depressed position for holding it depressed. lnFig. 13 the charging carriage 65 is shown an instant after it reached its charging position. It is illustrated with the finger I I6 disengaged from I the valve stem H2. The bolt II'I' initially rested on the top face of the finger IIB of the charging carriage 65 and against the top portion of the end of the valve stem II2. When the finger II6 moved away, the spring II9 forced the bolt ll! down to the position in which it is shown in Afibell crank I2I is pivotally mounted intermediate of its arms on a bracket I22 which is mounted on one of the cylinders 90. The horizontal arm of the bell crank I2I connects with the bolt H1. The vertical arm connects with a rod I23 which is slidably mounted in brackets I24 which are mounted on the cylinder 90. The rod I23 has its free end I26 bent downwards. The charging carriage 65 is provided with a pin i2! which engages the downturned end I26 of the rod In for moving the rod I23 to the right, when the charging carriage 65 reaches its starting position. This motion of the rod I23 pivots the bell crank I-ZI which inturnlifts the bolt I ll freeing the valve stem II2 which is then extended by the spring 91.

It should be recognized that when the pallet receiv-ing member I8 reaches its bottom position, the

' rod 99' will depress the valve stem 88 so that the valve 94 suppliescompressed air to the back ends of the cylinders 90 indirectly causing the charging carriage 65 to be moved forwards to its charging position. During this time the valve H0 is in a position in which the air lines I I4 are connected with mean discharge I03. When the charging carriage 65 reaches its charging position the finger H6 will depress the valve stem H2 and cause the valve I I0 to supply compressed air to the air lines I I4 for moving the charging carriage 65 back to its starting position. When the carriage 65 reaches its starting position the pin I21 will indirectly trip the bolt I I1 freeing the valve stem 112 so that the valve H0 assumes a position in. which the air lines II4 are again connected with the air discharge I03.

The pallet lifting fork 50 and the pallet lowering fork 5| are associated with means by which the lowering fork 5| is lowered: and the lifting fork is raised one pallet height each time that the charging carriage 65 performs one cycle of its movement. This means includes a start switch I-30 which is mounted on the frame I0 at a position I to be momentarily closed when the charging carriage 65 reaches its starting posi- 7 tion. The start switch I30 is connected in a circuit I 3| controlling a holding relay I32. This relay has a contact arm I33 which is normally held open by a spring I34. When the circuit |3| is supplied with current the contact arm I33 closes against a contact I35 closing a circuit I36. This circuit I36 remains closed because of the action of the holding relay I32. The circuit I36 includes in series a plurality of normally closed stop switches I31. There is one switch I31 for each pallet of the tier of pallets 26. These switches I31 are mounted upon the frame I0. A projection I38 from the lowering fork 52 is adapted to engage each of the switches I31 for momentarily opening them. The circuit I36 controls a relay I39 which controls a circuit I40 including a motor I4I for moving the forks 50 and 5|. This motor MI is connected to drive the endless member 58.

It should be noted that each time the charging carriage 65 reaches its starting position, the switch I30 will be momentarily closed energizing the holding relay I32 which closes the circuit I36. This circuit operates the relay I39 which in turn controls the electric motor MI. The motor I4| now operates for driving the endless member 58 so that the lowering fork 5| is moving downwards and the lifting fork 50 is moving upwards. When these forks move a distance equal to the height of one of the pallets 26, the projection I38 will strike one of the stop switches I31 momentarily breaking the circuit I36 which is then maintained broken by the contact arm I33 moving off of the contact I35. The motor |4| now stops functioning.

The delivery conveyor 40 is associated with means for operating it each time that the lowering fork 5| supplies the delivery conveyor 40 with a tier of pallets 26 for removing the tier of pallets from the lowering fork. This means includes a normally opened start switch I50 which is mounted on the frame I and which is momentarily closed by the projection I| on the lowering fork 5|. The start switch I50 is connected with a holding relay I52 which controls a circuit I 53. This circuit I53 includes a normally closed stop switch I54 which is mounted on one of the longitudinal beams 4| of the conveyor 40. The holding relay I52 is identical in construction to the holding relay I32. The circuit I53 controls a relay I56 which controls a circuit I51 controlling said motor 45. The motor 45 is connected to operate the pallet delivery conveyor 40. The normally closed stop switch I54 is operated by the abutment strips 46 of said conveyor 40. Each time an abutment strip 46 engages the switch I54 the switch is momentarily opened which indirectly stops the motor 45.

The lowering fork 5| is also associated with means for returning it to a raised position and indirectly causing the lifting fork 50 to return to its lowered position each time a tier of pallets 26 are moved from said lowering fork 5|. This means includes a normally opened start switch I60 which is mounted adjacent the switch I54, and which is momentarily closed by each of the abutment strips 46. The start switch I60 is connected in a circuit I6I which controls a holding relay I62. This holding relay I62 controls a. circuit I63 which includes, in series, a normally closed stop switch I 64. The stop switch I64 is mounted on the I-beam I3. It is operated by an arm I65 mounted on and projecting from the lifting fork 50. The circuit I 63 includes, in series, a coil I66 contained in the relay I39 which 8 functions to close the circuit I40 controlling the motor I. The circuit I63 also includes an electro magnet I61 which controls a reversing switch I 68 controlling the motor I4I. A spring I69 normally holds said reversing switch I68 in one direction. When the electromagnet I61 is energized the reversing switch I68 is moved in the other direction reversing the motor I4I. When the motor MI is reversed, it will drive the endless member 58 in a reversed direction, causing the lowering fork 5| to be raised and the lifting fork 50 to be lowered. When the lifting fork 50 is in its lowered position the arm I65 operates the stop switch I64 to open the circuit I63.

The supply conveyor 30 is associated with means by which it is operated each time the lifting fork 50 reaches its lowered position for supplying it with a new tier of pallet 26. This means includes a normally opened start switch I10 which is mounted adjacent the switch I64 and which is operated by a finger I65, mounted on the lifting fork 50. The switch I 10 is included in a circuit I1| which controls a holding relay I12. This relay I12 is identical in construction with the relay I32. The relay I12 controls a circuit I14 which includes a normally closed stop switch I 15 mounted on said I-beam I3 and adapted to be momentarily opened by the lowermost pallet 26 of a tier of pallets 26 when they reach their position on the lifting fork 50. The circuit I14 controls a relay I16 which controls a circuit I11 including said motor 35 which operates the supply conveyor 30.

In Fig. 2 the top pallet 26 on the delivery conveyor 40 is shown supporting bricks I which were placed thereon by the block or brick making machine while this pallet was upon the pallet receiving member I8. The other bricks have been omitted from Fig. 8 merely for ease in illustrating the invention.

The operation of the device may be understood from the following:

Let us assume that the machine is in the condition as illustrated in Fig. 2 and let us assume that the pallet receiving member I8 just reached its lowered position so that the arm 99 which is mounted upon the bottom of the post 23, strikes the stem 98 of the valve 94 moving the valve head 96 down to the position illustrated in Fig. 12. This causes compressed air from the air line I00 to flow through the air pipes IOI to the back ends of the cylinders forcing the pistons in these cylinders forwards and correspondingly moving the piston rods 9| which move the charging carriage 65 forwards. Because the bolts 80 engage the back end of the pallet 26 on the pallet receiving member I8 and because the pawls 81 engage the back of the top pallet 26 on the tier of pallets on the lifting fork 50, the pallet 26 on the pallet receiving member I8 will be moved forwards onto the lowering fork 5| and simultaneously the top pallet 26 of said tier of pallets will be moved upon the pallet receiving member I8. When the charging carriage 65 reaches its extreme position to the left, its charging position, the end I09 of the arm I08 strikes the top section I04 of the valve stem 98 pivoting the section I04 towards the left, in Fig. 15, and releasing the valve head 96 which is then moved upwards by the spring 91. The valve 94 now disconnects the air supply line I 00 from the air lines 1M and connects the air lines |0I with the air discharge I03. The pistons in the cylinders 90 are now free to move back to their initial posiions.

accmece When the charging carriage 515 reached its charging position the finger :IIt engaged the valve stem H2 of the valve I In moving the valve :head 95 thereof to the position illustrated in Fig. 13. The valve IIII now connects the compressed air supply line I. with the air lines I14 supplying compressed air to the front ends of the cylinders =50 for the charging carriage 65 back to its starting position. While the charging carriage 6.5 is moving back to its starting position the bolts 83 will first strike the front end of the pallet on the pallet receiving member I8 and because of the bcvcls 82, the bolts will be depressed and will idle along the sides of the pallet 26 until they reach the back end of said pallet. Then the springs 8I extend the bolts 80 against the back ed e of said pallet.

When the charging carriage 65 reaches its starting position the back end of the bar 68 will strike the lever of the switch I38 momentarily closing the switch. The circuit .IB'I is momentarily energized energizing the relay I32 and causing the contact arm I33 to engage the contact I35 which closes the circuit 13$. This circult 135 is a holding circuit that holds the contact arm I33 on the contact I353. The circuit I36 controls the relay I38 which closes the circuit I 46 and energizes the electric motor I4I which now operates to drive the endless member 58. This causes the pallet lifting fork 58 to move upwards and the pallet lowering fork 5| to move downwards. This continues until the projection I38 strikes the lever of the uppermost switch I 31. The switch I3! is momentarily opened breaking the holding circuit H6 and permitting the spring I34 to move the contact arm I33 off the contact I35. The relay ltd now becomes de-energized for opening the circuit I to stop the motor I l-I. The parts now remain in this condition until the pallet receiving member I8 performs one cycle of operation. This cycle consists in moving the pallet 2s u wards against the bottom of the mold 2! and then moving it back downwards to its initial position.

The block or brick machine takes care of m0ving the pallet receiving member I8. It also deposits the newly formed bricks or blocks upon the top' of the pallet 26. When the pallet receiving member I8 again reaches its bottom position it again indirectly operates the valve 94 and the cycle of operation of the charging carriage SS repeats. The operation keeps repeating so that the pallet lowering fork 5| moves downwards and the pallet lifting fork 50 progressively moves upwards. The pallet lifting fork 50 is supplying the charging member 65 with new pallets 25 while the pallet lowering fork H is restacking the pallets 25 with the bricks or blocks carried by them, back into tier formation.

When the pallet lowering fork 5I reaches its extreme bottom position, the projection I'5I engages the lever of the switch I50 momentarily closing this switch. This closes the circuit through the holding relay I52 which closes the holding circuit I53 thereof. The circuit I53 controls the relay I55 which closes the circuit I51 which operates the motor of the pallet delivery conveyor 40 which carries the tier of pallets 26 off from the pallet lowering fork 5|. When the pallet delivery conveyor 40 moves a distance equal to the length of one of the pallets 26, one of the abutment strips 46 of the delivery conveyor 40 engages. the levers of the switches I54 and IE0 for simultaneously operating these switches. Theswitch I54 is-a stop switch which 10 opens the circuit to the holding relay I52 so that the circuit I53 and the circuit I51 open. The motor 45 now stops functioning.

The switch I is momentarily closed by'the abutment strip 46 and energizes the holding relay I62 which closes the circuit I63. The circuit I63 operates the relay I39 for closing the circuit 140 for operating the electric motor Ill. The circuit I53 also contains an electromagn'et .IIiI which throws the reversing switch I68 so that the motor I41 is now operating in reverse. The endless member 55 now moves to raise the lowering fork EI and to lower the lifting fork 50. This continues until the lifting fork 5!] reaches its oottommost position at which time the arms I65 engage the levers of the switches I64 and I18. The switch IE4 is a stop switch for the holding relay I62 causing the relay to function to open the circuit I63 so that the reversing switch I68 is returned by the spring I69, to its forward position. The relay I39 operates to open the circuit Mil to stop operation of the motor MI.

The switch IIB is a start switch which when closed energizes the holding relay I12 causing the relay to close the circuit I14 for operating the relay 176 which closes the circuit I11 and causes the motor 35 to function. The motor 35 drives the pallet supply conveyor 30 which now moves an entire tier of new pallets 2B forwards to a position upon the pallet lifting fork 50. The top pallet 26 thereof rides under the pawls Ill.

The pawls 8'! swing up permitting the top pallet ac to pass and after the pallet 26 reaches its position, the pawls 81 will drop down in back of the top pallet 26 and the feeding operation of the charging carriage I55 is now ready to continue. When the tier of pallets 26 reach this position on the lifting fork Ell, the bottommost pallet 26 engages the lever of the switch "5 operating the switch to open the circuit I14. The relay I12 now keeps the circuit I'M open. The relay I16 functions to open the circuit I'I'l which stops the motor 35. The cycle of operation now repeats.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention,- it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications com ing within the scope of the invention as" defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a pallet charging and tiering machine, a pallet supply conveyor, a pallet lifting fork for receiving 2. tier of pallets from said conveyor when in a bottom position, means for raising said fork periodically in steps one pallet height until it reaches its top position, means for returning said fork to its bottom position and means controlled by said fork in its bottom position for operating said supply conveyor for supplying said pallet lifting fork with a new tier of pallets.

2. In a pallet charging and tiering machine; a pallet supply conveyor, a pallet lifting fork for receiving 2. tier of pallets from said con-veyor when in a bottom position, means for raisingsaid fork periodically in steps one pallet height until it reaches its top position, means for returning said fork to its bottom position and means controlled by said fork in its bottom position for operating said supply conveyor for supplying said means for periodically operating said start switch, and means connected with said lifting fork for operating said stop switches in certain positions of said lifting fork.

3. In a pallet charging and tiering machine, a pallet supply conveyor, a pallet lifting fork for receiving a tier of pallets from said conveyor when in a bottom position, means for raising said fork periodically in steps one pallet height until it reaches its top position, means for returning said fork to its bottom position and means controlled by said fork in its bottom position for operating said supply conveyor for supplying said pallet lifting fork with a new tier of pallets, said means for returning said fork to its bottom position including a drive motor, and start and stop switches controlling said drive motor.

4. In a pallet charging and tiering machine, a frame, a pallet lifting fork vertically slidably mounted on said frame, a pallet lowering fork vertically slidably mounted on said frame, a movable endless member having opposite sides connected with said forks, means for guiding said endless member, whereby said forks are moved in opposite directions when said endless member is moved, means for periodically moving said endless member a predetermined distance in order to periodically raise said lifting fork and lower said lowering fork in steps of a height equal to the height of each of the pallets of a tier of pallets to be handled by said machine, means for periodically moving said endless member after said lifting fork has reached its top position and said lowering fork has reached its bottom position in order to move said lifting fork to its top position, means controlled by and when said lifting fork reaches its bottom position for supplying said lifting fork with a tier of pallets, means for transferring the tier of pallets from said lifting fork to said lowering fork at the rate of one pallet at a time for and upon each step of upward motion of said lifting fork, and means controlled byand when said lowering fork reaches its bottom position for removing a tier of pallets from said lowering fork.

5. A pallet charging, loading and tiering machine, comprising a frame, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machinefrom a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised position to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet supply conveyor for supplyin a tier of pallets to one side of said member, a pallet delivery conveyor for carrying away a tier of pallets from the other side of said member, a pallet lifting fork for receiving a tier of pallets from said supply conveyor for supplying said member, a pallet lowering fork for receiving pallets from said member in tier formation for supplying said delivery conveyor, a charging carriage for moving the top pallet from said liftin fork to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to a position on said lowering fork or upon pallets already on said lowering fork, means for moving said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position and then back to a starting position, means for lowering said lowering fork and raising said lifting fork one pallet height each time said charging carriage performs one cycle of its movements, means for operating said delivery conveyor each time said lowering fork supplies it with a tier of pallets for removing them from said lowerin fork, means for returning said lowering fork to a raised position and returning said lifting fork to its lowered position each time a tier of pallets is removed from said lowering fork, and means for operating said supply conveyor each time said lifting fork reaches its lowered position for supplying it with a new tier of pallets.

6. A pallet charging, loading and tiering machine, comprising a frame, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machine from a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised position to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet supply conveyor for supplying a tier of pallets to one side of said member, a pallet delivery conveyor for carrying away a tier of pallets from the other side of said member, a pallet lifting fork for receiving a tier of pallets from said supply conveyor for supplying said member, a pallet lowering fork for receiving pallets from said member in tier formation for supplying said delivery conveyor, a chargin carriage for moving the top pallet from said lifting fork to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to a position on said lowering fork or upon pallets already on said lowering fork, means for moving said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position and then back to a starting position, means for lowering said lowerin fork and raising said lifting fork one pallet height each time said charging carriage performs one cycle of its movements, means for operating said delivery conveyor each time said lowering fork supplies it with a tier of pallets for removing them from said lowering fork, means for returning said lowering fork to a raised position and returning said liftin fork to its lowered position each time a tier of pallets are removed from said lowering fork, and means for operating said supply conveyor each time said lifting fork reaches its lowered position for supplying it with a new tier of pallets, said means for moving said carriage including an air cylinder and piston with a piston rod connected with said carriage, an air valve for controlling forward motion of said carriage, and an air valve for controlling motion of said carriage back to its starting position.

7. A pallet charging, loading and tiering machine, comprisin a frame, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machine from a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised position to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet supply conveyor for supplying a tier of pallets to one side of said member, a pallet delivery conveyor for carrying away a tier of pallets from the other side of said member, a pallet liftin fork for receiving a tier of pallets from said supply conveyor for supplying said member, a pallet lowering fork for receiving pallets from said member in tier formation for supplying said delivery conveyor, a charging carriage for moving the top pallet from said lifting fork to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to a position on said lowering fork or upon pallets already on said lowering fork, means for moving said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position and then back to a starting position, means for lowering said lowering fork and raising said lifting fork one pailm ltime said carriage perform one of its means for operating :sai'ld delivery oouceyor men time vsaiid lowering fork with o.

of pellets vtor removing from saidilowering controlled :by said start switch for moving 1 and :a stop switch for each pellet of said tier of pal-lets.

:8. A pallet renaming, loading and machine, -comprisin a drama, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted said frame for periodic yectical reciprocation by a block or brick machine zfrozn a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and hack to Flowered position, a pallet supply conveyor for supplying a tier of :pa'llets to one of said member, a pallet delivery conveyor for away a tier of pallets from the other side :of said member, :a pallet lifting fork for receiving :a tier of pal-lets from said supply conveyor for supplyins said member, a pallet lower-mg iork itor reoeiving pallets from said member in tier dormatioa, for supplying delivery conveyor, :a charging carriage for the top pallet from said lifting fork to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to .a position on said flowering fork or upon already on said lowering fork, means for moving :said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches :a pallet receiving position and then back to ,a starting position, means for Howerin said lowering fork and raising said 'li fting lo-i'k one pallet height each time said charging carriage performs one "cycle of its movements, means for operating said :delivery conveyoreach time said lowering fork supplies it with a tier of pallets for removing them from said lowering fork, means for returning said lowering fork to a raised position and returning said lifting fork to its lowered position each time 9. tier of pallets I are removed from said lowering fork, and means for operating said supply conveyor each time said lifting fork reaches its lowered position .ior supplying it with a new tier of pellets, said means for operating said delivery conveyor including a start switch, ,a drive motor for said delivery conveyor controlled with said start switch, and a stop switch operated by said delivery conveyor when it has moved a distance equal to the length of one of said pallets.

9. A pallet charging, loading and tiering machine, comprising a frame, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machine from a lowered pallet receivin position to a raised position to receive their-charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet supply conveyor for supplying a tier of pallets to one side of said member, a pallet delivery conveyor for carrying away 2. tier of pallets from the other side of said member, a pallet lifting fork for receiving a tier of pallets from said supply conveyor for supplyme said member, a pallet lowering fork for receiving pallets from said member in tier formacion supply ng :sa'ld delivery conveyor, fa rehearsing carriage ifior the top mallet from said lifting dork to a position on said member and rfor moving a $133318? from said member to a position on said flowering 'fork or open pallets already onsaid lowering fork, means for moving said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position and then :back to a star-ting position, means for loweeri-ng :sa'id lowering fork and raising :sald lifting fork one pallet :height each time said charging carriage performs one cycle of its movements, means for-operating said delivery conveyor each time said lowering fork supplies it with a tierof pallets .sfor removing them from :said lowerin fork, means for returnin said lowering fork to a raised position and returning said lifting fork to its lowered position each time a tier of pallets are removed from said lowering fork, and means for operating said supply conveyor each time said lifting dork reaches its lowered position for supplying it with a new tier of pallets, saidmeans for returning said lowering fork to a raised position and said lifting fork to its lowered jposition including a start switch, a reversible ,motor for moving said forks controlled by said start switch, and :a stop switch for said motor operated by one of said forks when it reaches this starting position.

10. A pallet charging, loading and tiering .machine, comprising a frame, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said ,frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machine from a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised position to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet supply conveyor for supplying a tier of pallets to one side of said member, a pallet delivery conveyor for carrying away 9. tier of pallets from the other side of said member, 'a pallet lifting for-k for receivin a tier of pallets from said supply conveyor for supplying said .member, a pallet lowering fork for receiving pallets from said member in tier for-mation for supplying said delivery conveyor, a charging carriage for moving the top pallet from said lifting fork to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to a position on said lowerin fork or upon pallets already on said lowering fork, means for moving said carriage to :a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position, and then back to a starting position, means for lowering said lowering fork and raising said lifting fork one pallet height each time said changing carriage performs one cycle of its movements, means for operating said delivery conveyor each time said lowering iork supplies it with tier of pallets for removing them from said lowering fork, means for returning said lowering fork to a raised position and returning said lifting fork to .its lowered position each time a tier of jpallets are removed from said lowering fork, and means for operating said supply conveyor each time said lifting fork reaches its lowered position for supplying it with a new tier of pallets, comprising a start switch, a motor for driving said supply conveyor operated by said start switch, and a stop switch for said motor operated by pallets on said conveyor when they reach their starting position.

11. A pallet loading device, comprising a frame, a. pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machine from a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised position to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet up-lift to one side of said member for reeeiving a tier of pallets for supplying said member, a pallet down-lift to the other side of said member for receiving pallets from said member in tier formation, a charging carriage for moving the top pallet from said up-lift to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to a position on said down-lift or upon pallets already on said down-lift, means controlled by said member for moving said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position and then back to a starting position, and means controlled by said charging carriage for lowering said downlift and raising said up-lift one pallet height each time said charging carriage performs one cycle of its movement.

12. A pallet loading device, comprising a frame, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machine from a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised position to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet uplift to one side of said member for receiving a tier of pallets for supplying said member, a pallet down-lift to the other side of said member for receiving pallets from said member in tier formation, a charging carriage for moving the top pallet from said up-lift to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to a position on said down-lift or upon pallets already on said down-lift, means controlled by said member for moving said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position and then back to a starting position,- and means controlled by said charging carriage for lowering said down-lift and raising said up-lift one pallet height each time said charging carriage performs one cycle of its movement, said means for moving said carriage including an air cylinder and piston with a piston rod connected with said carriage, an air valve for controlling forward motion of said carriage, and an air valve for controlling motion of said carriage back to its starting position.

13. A pallet loading device, comprising a frame, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machine from a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised position to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet uplift to one side of said member for receiving a tier of pallets for supplying said member, a pallet down-lift to the other side of said member for receiving pallets from said member in tier formation, a charging carriage for moving the top pallet from said up-lift to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to a position on said down-lift or upon pallets already on said down-lift, means controlled by said member for moving said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position and then back to a start- 16 ing position, and means controlled by said charging carriage for lowering said down-lift and raising said up-lift one pallet height each time said charging carriage performs one cycle of its movement, said means for lowering said down-lift and raising said up-lift including a start switch, a motor controlled by said start switch for moving said lifts, and a stop switch for each pallet of said tier of pallets.

14. A pallet loading device, comprising a frame, a pallet receiving member vertically movably mounted on said frame for periodic vertical reciprocation by a block or brick machine from a lowered pallet receiving position to a raised position to receive their charges of blocks or bricks and back to said lowered position, a pallet uplift to one side of said member for receiving a tier of pallets for supplying said member, a pallet down-lift to the other side of said member for receiving pallets from said member in tier formation, a charging carriage for moving the top pallet from said up-lift to a position on said member and for moving a pallet from said member to a position on said down-lift or upon pallets already on said down-lift, means controlled by said member for moving said carriage to a charging position when said member reaches a pallet receiving position and then back to a starting position, and means controlled by said charging carriage for lowering said down-lift and raising said up-lift one pallet height each time said charging carriage performs one cycle of its movement, a pallet supply conveyor for supplying a tier of pallets to said up-lift, a pallet delivery conveyor for carrying away a tier of pallets from said down-lift, means for operating said delivery conveyor each time said down-lift supplies it with a tier of pallets for removing them from said down-lift, means for returning said down-lift to its raised position and returning said up-lift to its lowered position each time a tier of pallets are removed from said down-lift, and means for operating said supply conveyor each time said up-llft reaches its lowered position for supplying it with a new tier of pallets.

LOUIS GELBMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 279,528 Blair June 19, 1883 857,364 Rosback June 18, 1907 976,243 Zagelmeyer Nov. 22, 1910 1,350,393 Tzibides et al. Aug. 24, 1920 1,639,576 Semashko Aug. 16, 1927 1,646,067 Roberts Oct. 18, 1927 1,674,620 Eberling June 19, 1928 1,913,533 Brunner June 13, 1933 2,065,674 Fay, Jr Dec. 29, 1936 2,200,708 Towne et al. May 14, 1940 2,344,923 Robinson Mar. 21, 1944 2,362,853 Spiller et a1 Nov. 14, 1944 2,372,229 Sinkovitz Mar. 27, 1945 2,396,090 Curtis Mar. 5, 1946 2,397,720 Beane Apr. 2, 1946 

